Gaye on hemp...

Democrat House Speaker Gaye Symington didn't mince words Friday afternoon when asked if she cared to comment about GOP Gov. Jim Douglas' comment about the 127-9 passage of hemp legislation in the Vermont House. Lot of GOP "yes" votes in there, eh?

Gov. Scissorhands, while not talking "veto" [he doesn't have the votes on this baby], poo-poohed it Thursday as a waste of valuable legislative time.

Said Speaker Gaye of Jericho:

I think that bill took a couple days work and was based on solid experience in other states [sic] and will mean that at the point where the Feds move, we will be ready to go. And I can't imagine there's anything to lose by creating more opportunities for Vermont farmers.

Reminded hemp, since 1958, has been considered illegal because Uncle Sam considers it the same exact thing as marijuana, Symington predicted there will be a new Administration in the White House come January, and with a likely even stronger Democratic Congress, hemp should fly.

I think it would be good to be ready for that refocusing on the priorities of this country and a vibrant economy that's likely to come after the 2008 Election.

She's got a point, eh?

P.S. Got home from Montpeculiar and the last electrician was gone. The heat's on!

Back to the world of digitized button-hitting to obtain life's basics.

Progress, right?

Comments

[Douglas Supporter]

Great, now the democratic leadership's plan is to bring our country to pot.

[Dr Bob Melamede]

We should be so lucky. a happier and healthier population would result, but what would it do to the war machine?

[Douglas Supporter]

'We should be so lucky. a happier and healthier population would result, but what would it do to the war machine?'

I've read your posts, Dr Bob Melamede. Seems like you'd rather hide behind dope, than support this great country.

[Peter Joes]

To bring this "conversation" down to a more useful level - -

In case Mr/Ms "Douglas Supporter" doesn't know it, the committee took testimony from Canadian law enforcement experts who explained that hemp should not be confused with the stuff people smoke for pleasure.

It is different stuff.

Hemp is one of the most useful plants due to the nature of its fiber. Smoke all of it that you want, it won't get you anywhere. No law enforcement issue or drug issue.

If the "DS" is really interested in supporting this great country, he/she should be in favor of laws that help support our farmers and that make sense instead of shoring up prejudices based on fictions instead of facts.

PJ

[vermonter]

"a happier and healthier population would result"

Yeah, let's all just drug ourselves into an altered mental state and be "happy."

No work, no productivity, no reality, no economy. Just drug-induced "happiness."

[curious]

I asked once before and never got an answer...if commercial hemp is such a wonderful and profitable product, why do so many Canadian farmers still waste their time in the dairy industry?

[Jake]

"~if commercial hemp is such a wonderful and profitable product, why do so many Canadian farmers still waste their time in the dairy industry?"

Canadian farmers still supply the nation's dairy needs but hemp is a side crop that has allowed them to diversify in ways Vermont farmers have not been able. Hemp is a big crop in Canada and of no concern to law enforcement, as noted by Peter Joes.

Canada is not only using their bountiful hemp crop as bedding for their herds, they are producing construction materials, fabrics, paper products and even a non-toxic tampon.

Hemp wouldn't get a fly high, Douglas Supporter, so don't worry about that. But make no mistake, Vermonters produce high-grade marijuana in profuse quantities and not a gram of it is taxed. I do not use marijuana and as long as I have the right to refuse, I will support the right of those who choose to use. We should tax it and get it off the streets but it has nothing to do with hemp.

Marijuana and hemp share the same qualities that peeled potatoes and apples do: they are the same color.

[montpelier28]

I know this isn't an intellectual argument in favor of legalization and I can't afford Show time but I hear and read that they have a whole program about people dealing and getting high on weed hence the name of the show - something tells me its a quite common occurrence and shouldn't be illegal at all.

[JPC]

Debating the merits of hemp is jumping the gun people. No matter what happens on the states end the until the federal government changes there position it really doesn't matter one hoot. I am sick of the legislature of this state working on policy that they can not control and ignoring the issues they can. We will get no tax relief, no health care, no education reform, no plan fro upgrading infrastructure, but we will get hemp, gay marriage, and energy efficiency. I love Gaye's comment about the future of the federal government...talk about jumping the gun. The elections are still almost a year away and in Gaye's mind there is a larger Dem majority to go along with a Dem president that would of course support Hemp. While all this may play out at 50K+ a day even debating it a few days is costing us taxpayers a pretty penny to debate something that we CANT control. It is admirable to look to the future, but when that means turning a blind eye to the problems of today it does more harm then good. Besides with all the land being put into trusts because people can't pay their taxes, or setting thousands of acres aside for protected wilderness where are we going to grow all this hemp?

[Phyllis]

Much as I am sick of Bush and the GOP, I would have to put the odds of a President McCain at about 60% right now.

This protracted battled between the top Dems will only hurt them, especially if they end up fighting over whether to seat the Florida and Michigan delegations.

It's almost enough to make me smoke hemp.

[Peter Joes]

Well JPC - - what tax relief do you want?

Are property taxes really the problem or are they a trumped up issue?

Compare the issue of tax escalation vs. health care costs due to our lack of a health care system and you'll find that property taxes as a percent of income in Vermont has gone down.

Health care costs have soared. And there is no vote by the people, no budget, no system. People for the most part don't even know how much it is costing them because they don't write the check like the do for property taxes. How many people realize that health care in Vermont costs $6000 per person per year?

The governor has proposed no real solutions to the health care issue but is ready with his veto pen if any real solution is proposed.

PJ

[David Zuckerman]

A few thoughts to clear up the missperceptions-

1) There are committees whose job it is to look into property taxes, roads, healthcare, energy efficiency and equal rights. However, none of those are the tasks of the Agriculture Committee. So if folks would rather we do nothing, then fine, but please do not confuse the fact that there are 14 committee's with a variety of tasks.

2) The House Agriculture Committee is working on a number of issues including milk pricing (yes, even now that they are higher, we are looking for ways to create more stability so farmers can plan.) We are also looking at alternatives for dairy farmers for crop rotation plans to be economically viable while creating food or fuel for the farm as those prices are also escalating at frightening rates.

3) Along with crops we are also looking at our higher ed. and technical support systems for farmers to make sure that we have what we need for the next 5-20 years to keep agriculture a strong sector of our economy (along with its ancillary economic impact with tourism etc.)

4) Slaughterhouses are also an area that we are working on.

5) Believe it or not, we can work on a number of things at the same time. Hemp took less than 1 hour on the floor (over two days) far less time than has been spent on many issues.

6) It is too bad that folks do not do some research before sounding off, I am more than willing to chat with anyone about the issues we are dealing with and the facts behind them. But if one's goal is just to take simple "pot" shots then go right ahead. Most people can see right through them.

Lastly...as to the Governors comments about a waste of time. He spends lots of time cutting ribbons and "giving away" your tax dollars. But if he actually spent just 10% of that time with the legislators actually working on these issues then we would get things done more efficiently and more cooperatively. Maybe then he would actually know the difference between hemp and marijuana and he would know the possible economic impact that it could have for Vermont farmers.

Maybe he would then spend some time working on his friends in Washington to get them to ease up their position at the DEA. Or maybe he would use his time to work on Bush's foolish war policy, or maybe he would go there and work on Bush's foolish tax policy. Ohh wait...but that is silly...when there are ribbons to cut in Vermont why would he go and actually work on policy.

[JPC]

Are property taxes really the problem or are they a trumped up issue?

In fact they are, I can not afford to keep having my taxes go up 400 a year, sorry. THose of with kids trying to build a life are a little strapped for cash these days.

"The governor has proposed no real solutions to the health care issue but is ready with his veto pen if any real solution is proposed."

Of course its the legislatures job to write the laws, but hey its much easier to pass the buck to Douglas. And my guess is if a "real" plan was put forth you would see him sign it.

David, sorry but for all your spiel what did you just do but take a pot shot at Douglas. Yes of couse he could reach out to the legislature, but then again couldn;t the legislature reach out to him? And as far as I can see from the track record of the legislature they can;t do more then one thing at once. Further why is it if there is all this time to debate federal issues is Gaye upset that the education proposal came up so late that there isn't enough time to debate it?

"Maybe he would then spend some time working on his friends in Washington to get them to ease up their position at the DEA. Or maybe he would use his time to work on Bush's foolish war policy, or maybe he would go there and work on Bush's foolish tax policy."

Or maybe he realizes his role is to govern VT not the USA, too bad our legislators don;t realize this. After all as my rep, you should be representing my issues as a resident of burlington, not as a resident of the USA. Know your role and do your job.

[Peter Joes]

Well JPC you do a good job of avoiding my point. So, your taxes went up $400. How much did your health costs go up?

Do you even know? Does "someone else" pay for it?

PJ

[Dr Bob Melamede]

I people new a little science they wouldn't make stupid comment like ""

Yeah, let's all just drug ourselves into an altered mental state and be "happy."
No work, no productivity, no reality, no economy. Just drug-induced "happiness.""

Hemp does not get anyone high but still contains the important medicinal compound CBD and many others. Everyone makes and uses marijuana-like compounds all day long since they control all body systems. Diseases are imbalances that can often be restored by providing what is missing. Cannabis protects against all age related illnesses such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, brain disorders, and cardiovascular diseases.

[Douglas Supporter]

I expect nothing but insults to be thrown at the Governor by a hippie legislator with longer than my wife...are you a man or woman Zuckerman?

Science? The Governor knows the difference between marijuana and hemp. Dr. Bob, do you know the difference between driving a standard and an automatic...keep smoking your 'happy' weed and you'll end up in jail.

[doubtful]

Dr. Bob...what kind of a doctor are you? I'd sure like to see the research supporting your comment of, " Cannabis protects against all age related illnesses such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, brain disorders, and cardiovascular diseases."

[JPC]

Peter joes, you asked my a direct question and I gave you an direct answer. I am sorry if you felt I was avoiding the health care issue. To your health care answer my health insurance premiums went up around 150 a year. Bring us up to a total of 3500. Yes employers cover part of it and that represents what my wife and I pay. So as far as your point, health care does in my case represent less. However, I do not disagree with you in that something needs to be done. I just disagree with what needs to be done. Medicare/medicaid has to be paid in full, 90 million of cost shifting is killing those of us who don't have it. Moreover, the feds have started auditing medicare and medicaid and so far in 3 states I think they found 250 million worth of overcharging. Now they are looking at all 50 states, this is a good start.

Dr. Bob, it cracks me up to wonder if you are deliberately misleading the people or if you have talked yourself into believing all this. First off "marijuana-like" compounds and marijuana-compounds are not the same. Small differences have large consequences sometimes. I am sure you are familiar with the sterochemistry issues that plagued pregnant women for a time. Secondly, Cannibis doesn't protect against ALL age related illness. I doubt it helps with respiratory illness. Further more it helps with autoimmune diseases because it lowers the immune system, which isn't exactly all that healthy. Does it have some benefits I am sure, but please don't treat us like idiots.

"Hemp does not get anyone high"

How many kids do you think will try? With the potency of 20 cigarettes I can't wait to see all the tweens smoking huge amounts to see if they can still get high. Afterall, they already down bottles of Robitusin, and buy bags of Oregano. Can't wait for the increase in lung cancer, but then again then they can get marijuana to help cure that right.

Besides back to the issue which is the feds won't allow it so our good legislators are wasting the taxpayers money, even if it is only an hour as Mr. Zuckerman says, that's still an hour wasted.

[david zuckerman]

JPC-

You failed to get my point regarding Douglas and DC and issues relating to Vermont. As a more direct example, had Douglas used his connections to Bush more effectively then maybe we would still have had the dairy compact and we would not have needed to spend $12 million in grants to dairy farmers in 2006-2007. The point is that the actions of the federal government have huge impacts on what we can do as a state government. Governors of every state recognize this. While it is primarily the job of the Governor to focus on state issues, that inherantly means working to impact what happens in DC as well.

The other missed point is that in fact if the DEA decided to change its position and offered licences to grow hemp, then it could happen relatively quickly. We heard from a number of farmers who would like to be able to add hemp to their crop rotation. Is there something wrong with setting ourselves up for the future?

Lastly, the vote was 127-9, it is clear that most citizens and most politicians "get it" when it comes to the differences between hemp and marijuana. I think it is quite appropriate for politicians to be thinking long term and to be finally pointing out the truths about those differences. Those that work on the committee were quite convinced by the facts (hence an 11-0-0 vote across all party lines). Believe it or not there is a process in state government that can work when people work together to look at the facts. It is sad that so many still revert to rhetoric and name calling, but I guess that is a part of life in this day and age.

As for my comments to Douglas about wasting time. Again...there are facts at play that support this work. The jab back at him was with respect to his lack of awareness of these facts as well as the reality that he makes few complete proposals, throws our rhetoric, expects the House and Senate to simply do his bidding, and he never gives details about how to do it. There are many R's in the building who can work across the aisle, just as there are many D's, P's and the 2 I's that can as well. It would be nice if he could do the same.

As for "Douglas Supporter", ouch...that really hurt. I guess creativity is lacking.

[Remembering]

On the fact of Douglas' effectiveness....let's face reality, over the past 35 years, with the exception of Snelling, there hasn't been a single governor who knew much about running a true business. And I don't mean some "nonprofit"..those aren't real businesses. For that matter, how many state Senators or Representatives do you know who have any real business experience? i know there are a few, but not many percentage wise.
And I'm not talking about just holding a job in a business, but actually being responsible for running one. The fact is, the State is the largest business in Vermont and we can't seem to find a good business person to run it. Do you think Polina or Galabrith (sp?) have the business experience to run Vermont's largest business?